Ruth Virginia (Jenny) Tidwell

Ruth Virginia (Jenny) Tidwell, age 81, passed away peacefully on September 1st, 2016. She was born to the late Frank Richard Jenkins and Ruth Leanna Roper Jenkins in Live Oak, Florida, on May 22, 1935. Jenny married the love of her life, Robert Tidwell, on April 29th, 1956, in Live Oak and was happily married for 60 years. Shortly after marriage, the couple moved to Lakeland, Florida. Jenny worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for a local car dealership for over 40 years. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, entertaining, baking, sewing, and crocheting. Over the years, she was also actively involved in Bonny Baptist Church, Gibsonia Baptist Church, and subsequently Scott Lake Baptist Church. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and being grandma to her grandchildren. Jenny is survived by her husband, Robert Tidwell, and two children, her daughter Donna Tidwell of Lakeland, and her son Robert Tidwell and his wife Geri of Winter Haven; her sister Frances Fennell of Live Oak, Florida; five grandchildren: Ashley Baucom Aycock (Michael), Robbie Baucom, Tyler Tidwell, Connor Tidwell, Megan Tidwell, and three great-grandchildren: Finley and Sydney Aycock, and Landon Ekland. Jenny was preceded in death by her brothers, Bo Jenkins (Ruth) of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Bill Jenkins (Ann) of Live Oak, Florida. Visitation will be held from 5:00 " 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 6th at Heath Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 7th at Heath Funeral Chapel. Dr. Darin Kress of Scott Lake Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Heath Funeral Chapel. Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Good Shepherd Hospice and Arbor Oaks Assisted Living Facility for the compassionate care provided to our loved one. We would also like to say thank you for the many cards, phone calls, and visits over the past few weeks. Service: 09/07/2016 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 09/06/2016 Heath Funeral Chapel